Why didn’t Jerry Lewis run the MDA telethon this year? I heard two different things: one was because of his illness and the other was that he was fired. What happened?

It’s not crystal clear why Lewis no longer is involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon. In August, the association said he wouldn’t take part in the show or be its chairman. According to the Associated Press, Lewis has not publicly said why he is no longer chairman of the MDA or why he didn’t personally appear in this year’s telethon. Lewis’ absence ended a 45-year run during which he raised $1.66 billion.